Education funding update
We are now in the third week of this eight-week legislative session and education funding and educational opportunity are the most pressing issues facing the Legislature.
I was pleased to serve on the governor’s bipartisan education funding work group over the past few months. Our group formulated legislation that lays out the next steps required to address full funding of basic education and satisfy the Supreme Court’s contempt ruling for the state’s failure to fully fund basic education. The House passed the companion bill yesterday with a strong bipartisan vote and hopefully the Senate will act soon.
Charter schools
Charter schools, which the Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional, is another educational issue on our plate. I have worked this session to find a solution that provides educational certainty for the children currently enrolled in charter schools and ensures that local school boards play a role in authorizing any new charter schools in their community.
Last week, the Senate Republicans passed charter school legislation that is too extreme and likely unconstitutional. Instead, we need to move to the middle ground on this issue. A separate bipartisan bill that I sponsored would have eliminated the state charter school commission and allowed only local school districts to create new charter schools, which addresses a key concern in the court’s ruling.
I am dedicated to finding a solution that provides certainty and opportunity for charter school students and our more than one million public school students.
The Washington Promise program
I am excited to be co-sponsoring legislation this session that would provide two years of free tuition at community and technical colleges for all eligible Washington residents. The bill, known as the Washington Promise program, would effectively give every student, regardless of their economic background, the chance to access higher education.
Nominate a notable citizen of Spokane
Do you know a citizen in Spokane who has made a difference as a volunteer in our community? Spokane’s Citizen Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for individual volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to the quality of life and development of the City of Spokane.
Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9. If you are interested in nominating someone, click here for more information.
Keeping in Touch
If you have a comment, idea or question, please let me know. I would love to hear from you!
You can reach me by email andy.billig@leg.wa.gov or by phone at 360-786-7604.
Due to election-year restrictions, we had to restart our e-newsletter distribution list. If you or someone you know would like to get their own copy of my weekly e-newsletter, forward them this email and tell them to click here to sign up.
Onward!
Andy
